Dissecting the kata, bunkai or kumite
Over the years there have been many suggestions how to
practice the many different and unique movements of your
karate style. Everyone has a theory that works for them.
Almost all methods of instruction use repetition. My
experience is that repetition helps a person retain
information so completely that movements become almost
automatic.
Children learn about repetition all the time in school.
Memorizing spelling words, multiplication tables, and the
penmanship strokes needed for writing cursive are examples of
repetition. Penmanship soon becomes a fine motor skill as the
hand muscles are developed and the mind remembers the
"feeling" for all 26 letters. Each person's feeling is unique
to that person and handwriting "styles" vary from person to
person.
Going further we find that there are three ways of learning
repetitive skills. The first is mechanical where a person
learns the physical movements without concentrating on form or
function. The second is technical; this is after knowing and
being able to perform the mechanics of the movement that a
person takes the time to use proper form and understand the
exact movement. The third way is expertise; a person
thoroughly understanding the movement and being able to
perform the technique in such a precise manner that the
movement becomes almost automatic and quite effective when
under pressure.
Many instructors have found with different levels of karateka
in a class that it is best to dissect or take apart the
movements that are being taught. For example, when a student
is learning a new kata---instead of taking that person through
the entire kata over and over, it is better to teach segments
or pieces of the kata and later put it all together in the
full kata. The kata is much easier for the student to
understand when presented in this manner. I suggest that
teaching "segments" would also be extremely effective in
teaching kumite, bunkai, as well as in kata.
In conclusion, breaking down difficult movements in katas,
kumites, or bunkais into smaller segments allows a person,
skilled or unskilled, to truly perfect these movements
and become a highly skilled and proficient martial artist.
With the help of Greg Schreiner, Sandan Taylorsville, Utah
